Circuit-breaker.



C. H. HILL.

CIRCUIT BREAKER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 9, 1905.

1,01 1,785, Patented Dec.12, 1911.

3 SHEBTSSHBET 1.

W/ messes. fiwentor Char/e6 H. 1 by a /2 G. H. HILL.

CIRCUIT BREAKER.

rum-r101! FILED NOV. 9, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SKEET 2.

Patented Dec. 12, 1911.

VV/Zne ssa s.

U. H. HILL.

CIRCUIT BREAKER.

APPLIGATION FILED NOV. 9, 1905 1,01 1,785, Patented Dec. 12, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEBT 3 07/6/7102 Char/e5 H M W M was;

WZheSsea.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. HILL, F SCI-IENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CIRCUIT-BREAKER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, 1911.

Application filed November 9, 1905. Serial No. 286,516.

ll '0 all whom it, may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. HILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the'county of Schenectady and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Circuit-Breakers, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to electric circuit breakers or switches and has for its object the production of a device of this class which shall be simple, compact and durable in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and effective in operation.

In carrying out the invention novel mechanism for disconnecting the operating lever from the switch parts is provided so that the same cannot be held closed by the operator during the existence of an overload or other predetermined electrical condition of the circuit. These and certain other structural and mechanical details will be more fully understood upon reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the scope of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Referring to said drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a triple pole switch constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same, the section being taken on a plane indicated by the line 2 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 1s a on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1; and Figs. 4-, 5 and 6 are diagrammatic views illustrating difier ent operative positions of the switch parts.

Throughout these figures like characters refer to like arts.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 10 designates an insulating panel or base of porcelain, marble or other suitable fire-proof insulating material to which the switch parts are secured. Firmly secured to the face of the base are three U-shaped supporting brackets 11, 11, 11", between whose arms are pivoted the channeled members 12, 12 and 12 which constitute the 'movable bridging switch elements of the three legs of the circuit. These bridging contacts 12, 12" and 12* are adapted to complete the circuit between the terminals, 13' 14, 13 14",

13 and 14, respectively. Each of the terminals 13 13 and 13 is secured to a plate connected to a plate 21 to partial plan view of the same with parts shown in section taken on a plane indicated 15 which in turn, is secured to the face of the panel 10 by a stud 16 and which forms a conducting path to the bundle of laminae 17 which makes direct contact with the corresponding bridging contact 12, 12 or 12*. The lower terminals 1 1, 14 and 14 are electrically connected to the brackets 11, 11 and 11 respectively, the connection between the terminals 14 and 14: with the brackets 11 and 11 being substantially identical, while that between the terminal 14 and bracket 11 is modified somewhat to permit the overload magnet 18 to. be readily included in circuit between the terminal 14 and the bracket 11. Referring to the construction of the connection between the terminal 14 and the bracket-l1, it will be noted that the terminal is connected to the lower end of a plate 19 by a bolt 20 which also serves to securely attach the terminal and the plate to the panel 10. The upper end of the plate 19 passes between the arms of the bracket 11 and is secured to its central portion so as to make good electrical contact therewith. The circuit is completed between the terminal 14 and the bracket 11 by a similarly connected plate 19. On the other hand, the terminal 14:

which is electrically connected the lead 22 of the winding of the overload magnet 18. The other lead 23 of this coil is connected to a plate 24 which extends at its lower end over the central portion of,the bracket 11 and is connected therewith so as to form good electrical contact in the same manner that the plate 19 is connected to the bracket 11. Each of the moving contact members 12, 12, 12 is forced outward by a reflxed leafspring 25 which is secured at one end between the corresponding brackets 11, 11" and 11 and the panel 10, while its opposite end bears against the interior face of the movable switch member. In case of the contact members 12 and 12 the spring 25 extends through an opening 26 in the plates 19 and 19, while in the case of the moving contact 12 the plate 24 extends above the bracket 11 and there is no occasion for a corresponding opening.

In additionto the paths formed .between the terminals 13, 13, 13 on the one hand, and the corresponding terminals 14, 14 and 14* on the other, as above outlined, shunt paths are provided in each leg of the ciris similarly cuit by shunt contacts 27 and 28 of any desired material, such as carbon. These contacts are carried at the upper end of spring arms 29 and 30, respectively, which are secured at their lower ends to the studs 16 on the one hand, and to movable switch members 12, 12 or 12 on the other. As is well known, in operation these carbon contacts remain in engagement until the bridging member has moved far enough away from the laminated contacts 17 to prevent any jumping of an arc and then they separate and the final arcing is taken between the carbon surfaces. For the purpose of preventing the occurrence of arcs between the stud 16 of the diflerent legs of the circuit, suitable barriers 31 and 32 of fiber or. other suitable fire-proof insulating material are secured to the face of the panel 10 and extend outward between said studs in a well known manner.

Each of the bridging contact members 12, 12 and 12 is forced into its closing position by means of'a toggle comprising the links 33 34, 33 34*, and 33 34*. Each of the links 34, 84 34", in addition to being pivoted to the links 33, 33 and 33 is pivoted between the outer ends of the arms of the brackets 11, 11? and 11*, respectively, and is provided with an extension beyond saidpivotal point. These extensions 35, 35 and 35 are rigidly connected by an insulating rod 36 of Wood or other suitable material, so that any movement transmitted to one of the toggles is also transmitted to the others, and all the legs of the circuit are made and broken simultaneously. For the purpose of transmitting movement to these toggles so as to set the breaker, an operating lever 37 is arranged to be operated in connection with the toggle comprising the links 33 and 34 The upper end of this lever is bifurcated and each of the bifurcated ends is pivoted to the outer end of the bracket 11 concentric with the link 34 of the toggle. The bifurcations extend somewhat beyond the pivot and are provided at their extremities with oppositely-extending projections 38 which are adapted to engage the under side of the arms of the bracket 11 to limit the downward movement of the lever 37. As clearly illustrated, the link 34, together with its projections 35, consists of two similar plates or punchings rigidly connected and held apart by a space block 39 located adjacent to the connecting rod 36; the opposite ends of the plates passing on opposite sides of the link 33 and being spaced thereby.

From the description thus far it will be apparent that the operating lever 37 is movable independently of the member 35 and the other parts connected to the bar 36 In order to establish positive connr-ation between the lever 37 and the movable elements of the circuit breaker, an L-shaped latch 40 is provided. This latch is pivoted at 41 between the bifurcations of the operating lever 37 and is adapted to engage the upper face of the space block 39 carried by the member 35. The opposite end of the latch 40 is weighted, as at 42, so that its tendency is to hold the latch in engaging position. Then the operating lever 37 is drawn out so as to allow the latch 40 to engage the member 35 it may be then pressed downward and inward, and when so operated will carry the outer end of the member 35 and the bar 36 downward and thereby straighten out the toggles connected to the bridging members 12, 12 and 12 and force them into engagement with their respective fixed contacts 17. In order to maintain the breaker in closed position when thus closed, a second latch 43 is pivoted concentrically with the lever 37 and the toggle link 34. This latch is weighted near its outer end at 44 and is provided with an engaging shoulder 45 at its inner end which is adapted to engage a cooperating projection 46 on the adjacent end of the link 33. The'latches 40 and 43 overlap each other and are so closely related that a blow delivered to the former will through it actuate the latter. This is for the purpose of tripping the breaker and, as is well known, may be accomplished either manually or automatically upon the occurrence of predetermined electrical conditions in the circuit. For the latter purpose the overload magnet 18, previously referred to, and the no-voltage release magnet 47 located on opposite sides ofthe bridging contact member 12 are employed. Both of these are of well known construction. The overload magnet comprises the U-shaped magnet frame 48 having one leg firmly secured to the panel 10 and the other provided with the winding 18*. An armature 49 is pivotally secured at 50 to one leg of the frame 48 and is adapted to be drawn upward by I the magnetism of the coil into engagement with the other leg. A scale plate 51 extends ,downward from the outer leg of the frame 48 in a curved direction, and the armature 49 is apertured so as to embrace the scale plate. A set-screw 52 threaded through a fixed bracket 53 and having a lock-nut 54, engages the under side of the armature 49 to determine its adjustment. The adjustment is indicated on the scale plate 51 by the upper edge of the armature opening. A horizontal arm 55 extends laterally from the armature 49 far enough to engage the weighted end of the latch 40 when the overload magnet is energized sufficiently to raise the armature 49. Manual operation may be obtained through the agency of the button 56 carried by the outer end of the armature 49 which may be pushed upward to trip the breaker.

The no-voltage release magnet 47 is of well-known construction and comprises a weighted armature 57 which is normally held in the position illustrated but is adapted to drop against the pivoted lever 58 and thereby force the opposite end of the lever which is directly beneath the weighted end of the latch 40 into'engagement therewith to trip the breaker. Leads 59 from the winding of the magnet 47 are secured to studs 60 which pass through the panel 10 and are suitably connected on the rear of the board between two legs of the circuit in a manner well known in the art.

For the purpose of clearly illustrating the operation of the device, and the relative position of the parts, attention is called to Figs. 4, 5 andv 6 wherethe switch is shown in its open, intermediate and closed positions. With the parts in theopen position in order to close the switch it is necessary to draw the operating lever upward until the latch 40 engages the upper face of the space block 39 on the member 35, and to then force the lever downward and inward. This latter movement will actuate the member 35" and all the parts connected to the bar 36 and will straighten out the several toggles and force the bridging members 12, 12 and 12 into engagement with their respective contacts 17, thus completing the three legs'of the circuit. When this position is reached the parts will occupy the position illustrated in Fig. 6 and the latch 43 will engage the extension 46 on the toggle lever 33 and hold the parts in the closed position. Now upon the occurrence of an overload in the circuit sufiicient to draw up the armature 49 of the overload trip magnet, or upon the occurrence of a drop in potential suflicient to allow the armature 57 of the magnet 47 to drop into engagement with the lever 58, the weighted end of y the latch 40 will be forced upward into engagement with the latch 43 and the latter thrown out of engagement with the projection 46 thus allowing the circuit breaker to fly open under the action of gravity and the leaf-springs 25. It will be impossible to close the breaker if either of the above electrical conditions exists, since the weighted end of the latch 40 in all positions of the parts lies in the path of movement of the lever 58 and the arm 55 of the armature 49. ()n attempt to close the breaker undersuch conditions the armature 49 will either be drawn up forcibl soon as a slight contact between the xed and movable switch elements is made and the connection thereby broken between the operating lever 37 and the member 35 and the other movable parts of the breaker, or, on the other hand, if the potential upon such closure is insufiicient to raise the armature 57 of the no-v'oltage release magnet 47 the latch 40 will be obstructed by the lever 58 and thereby prevented from moving into engaging position.

In carrying out the invention, punched parts have been employed as far as possible so as to reduce the cost of construction and also render as compact a structure as possible.

By the arrangement of parts in the manner. disclosed it will be seen that the toggles and the latch mechanism are quite well inclosed between the side walls of the bridging contact members and the arms of the supporting brackets thereby protecting them against injury and accidental operation.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is,-

1. In an electric circuit breaker, the combination of cooperating fixed and movable contacts, a toggle for cramping said movable contact into closed position, an operating lever movable independently of said toggle, a latch for establishing a positive closing connection between said lever and toggle, a latch for holding the toggle in cramping position and means for tripping the latches in succession. 1

2. In an electric circuit breaker, the combination of cooperating fixed and movable contacts, a toggle for cramping said movable contact into closed position, an operating lever movable independently of said toggle, a latch for establishing a positive closing connection between said lever and toggle, a second latch for holding the toggle in cramping position, and means for tripping the first latch before the second.

3. In an electric circuit breaker, the combination of cooperating fixed and movable contacts, a toggle for cramping said movable contact into closed position, an operating lever movable independently of said toggle, a latch for establishing a positive closing connection between said lever and toggle, a second latch for holding the toggle in cramping position overlying the first latch, and means for engaging the first latch to trip the second.

4. In an electric circuit breaker, the combination of cooperating fixed and movable,

contacts, a toggle for cramping said movable contact into closed position, an operating lever movable independently of said toggle, a latch for establishing a positive closing connection between said lever and toggle, a second latch for holding the toggle in cramping position, said first latch overlying the second latch in every position of the operating lever, and means in operative relat1on to the first latch in every position of the operating lever for moving said latch into engagement with said first latch to, trip it.

5. In an electric circuit breaker, the combination of cooperating fixed and movable contacts, a toggle for cramping said con tacts into engagement, an operating lever movable independently of said toggle, a latch for establishing a positive connection between said lever and toggle, a second latch for holding the toggle in cramping position, a projection on said first latch overlapping the second latch in every position of the operating lever, and means in operative relation to the first latch in every position of the operating lever for moving said latch to bring said projection into engagement with said first latch to trip it.

6. In an electric circuit breaker, the combination of a channeled sheet metal movable contact, a two legged supporting post therefor, a bifurcated operating lever having its bifurcations pivoted to the outer ends of said post and a cramping toggle acting between said lever and contact and housed within the side walls of said movable contact, the legs of said post and the bifurcations of said lever, and a latch pivoted concentric with said operating lever to engage one link of said toggle to hold it extended.

7. In an electric circuit breaker, the combination of a movable contact, a two legged supporting post therefor, a bifurcated operating lever having its bifurcations pivoted to the outer ends of the legs of said post, a cramping toggle having one of its links pivoted concentric with said bifurcations, and a latch pivoted at the same point to engage the other link of said cramping toggle.

8.-In an electric circuit breaker, the combination of a movable contact, a two legged supporting post therefor, a bifurcated operating lever movable independently of said movable contact and having its bifurcations pivoted to the outer ends of the legs of said post, a cramping toggle having one of its links pivoted concentric with said bifurcations, means for establishing a positive closing connection between said operating lever and said toggle, and a latch plvoted concentric with said bifurcations to engage one of the links of said toggle and mounted in o erative relation to said means for establishing a closing connection.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 8th day of November, 1905.

CHARLES H. HILL.

Witnesses:

BENJAMIN B. HULL, MaRGARET E. WOOLLEY. 

